Police upset at lack of cash

The Leicestershire force says it needs more money

An East Midlands police force says it is not getting enough money from the government to upgrade its stations.

Leicestershire Police have been allocated £171,000 as part of a £20m nationwide grant to help improve police facilities.

The Leicestershire grant is the lowest in the country.

Deputy Chief Constable David Lindley says: "We wanted the money for a range of projects across the force's area, including Wigston."

"I shall be protesting to the Home Office about the iniquity of the system... because is does not reward long-term planning.

Short changed

"The way they are operating this fund does not reward prudent management in police forces."

The people of Leicestershire are being short changed by the system, he said.

The funding, announced by Home Office Minister Hazel Blears on Monday, is being spread across the UK.

Video suites for vulnerable witnesses and upgrades to computer facilities are part of the improvements funded by the grants.

Nottinghamshire Police will get £500,000 from the initiative, Derbyshire Police will receive £264,000 and Lincolnshire Police are getting £375,000.

In Lincolnshire, most of the money will be spent upgrading the West Parade police station in Lincoln.

Twenty-two police forces across the country were awarded the maximum £500,000 from the Premises Improvement Fund.